CAPE TOWN -
The national lockdown crippled the tourism sector and according to the minister of tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, projections show that almost 600 000 jobs are at risk if the sector doesn’t come back into operation by September 2020.
This has left businesses fighting for survival with the restaurant industry more specifically furious that they are not allowed to have sit-down meals.
“When the risk-adjusted approach was introduced, tourism was placed at alert level 2 and largely at level 1.
“This is because our sector is largely interactive hence our focus has been on both de-risking the sector and putting health protocols that can give comfort of safety not only to government but to our clients, including domestic tourists,” Kubayi-Ngubane said in a statement.
“We are in discussions with restaurants so that whatever solution is provided for sit-down doesn’t perpetuate the inequality and we are confident that in our next submission to NCCC this will be considered.
Under the level 3 risk-adjusted strategy, these services are allowed:
Professional services like tour guides, tour operators, travel agents and tourism information
Training of nature guides and related services to ensure a safe distance
Public and private game farms
Hiking in compliance with safety guidelines and not in groups
Restaurants for delivery or collection of food
Restaurants with liquor license allowed to sell alcohol for takeout
Meanwhile, these services remain prohibited:
Conferences, events or entertainment activities such as festivals
Casinos
Leisure travel
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